Litt, the general counsel in the office of the Director of National Intelligence, is well known for making flip comments. But in this case, his private observation offered insight into just how eager some officials are to come up with examples to support their argument that end-to-end encryption — which precludes law enforcement from intercepting communications between two parties — presents an imminent danger to national security.

The Post story was about the lack of momentum for legislation that would require firms to be able to unlock their customers' smartphones and apps under court order.

A senior official granted anonymity by the Post acknowledged that the law enforcement argument is "just not carrying the day." He told the Post reporters: "People are still not persuaded this is a problem. People think we have not made the case.